UnEmployed

My mom always reads my horoscope for the year on my birthday. This year, it said a lot of changes would take place. The changes started taking place in January.

I lost my job. There wasn't anything I could do - it was the company's fault. I knew the day would suddenly come when my job would slip through my fingers and I'd have to dust off my black suit, pull myself off the couch, and get out there.

As an ambitious career woman, I miss getting up and ready for work everyday. My unused creative energy causes me to lose sleep at night. I have work - I am a freelancer at the moment, but it is difficult to organize all the projects and manage the income coming in. I don't like the business part of being a freelancer at all and I'm worried I'll owe thousands of dollars in taxes at the end of the year.

Frankly, I'm tired. I'd like to take one year off work, write a book of essays and do some travel pieces. But I have no clue how to get started and even if I did - I'm not sure if I desire the stability of a job or the lax structure of a freelance career.

I'm at a crossroads. Again.

And to further the life-altering decisions I have to make, I'm wondering if I should buy a condo. If I do, that means the Pac Nrthwest is home for at least 5 years, while we ride out the market. If we don't, it means renting, which I am a little sick of. If we moved back to IL, I'm not sure it could ever feel like home again. I've changed so much, my perception of it is much different and I can't stand bitter cold winters anymore. However, I can stand to be a little less lonely these days. My 3rd year here, I can feel friends distance themselves and family doesn't call as much as they once did.

Can I ever have a normal year?